The die is cast
8th Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series
Friday 5th February 2021. Act 2 of the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series got off to a strong start today for the 23 teams in competition, particularly the Monegasque formations which this evening occupy the top four places in the provisional ranking.
Eventful
A 15-knot easterly with a metre swell promised an exciting day of racing and the weathered faces confirmed how intense this first day had been. With four races played in quick succession and no downtime, the pace was relentless.
YCM’s Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio’s G-spot emerged a winner in top spot, a comfortable 15 points ahead of his nearest rival. Behind him the Monegasque boats were dominant with Stefano Roberti (Piccinina) and Cesare Gabasio (Tinnj70) in 2nd and 3rd respectively, while Monaco’s Laser star Jérémy Moutout on YCM Lokomotiv is doing well in 4th. But they will have to keep a close eye on the rest of the fleet, notably outright winner of the last Act, Petite Terrible-Adria Ferries.
All set for second round
8th Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series
Monday 1st February 2021. They are on the attack, feet on the ground ready to tackle Act 2 of the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series from 5-7 February. A second act which will host 20+ teams including the formidable Italians on Petite Terrible-Adria Ferries and Alice. Now in its eighth season, the Series continues to attract top level racers all driven by the same passion.
Revenge
Having won Act 1 hands down, Petite Terrible-Adria Ferries need not announce a flush for the second round. Led by Claudia Rossi, the current European Championship team will be keen to finish on the top step of the podium.
But many are waiting in the wings to frustrate their ambitions like the locals on G-Spot. With the highly experienced YCM member Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio at the helm, the team will have the bit between their teeth when they line up on the start. Junda, Sailing Racing Team, Piccinina and Nico Poons’ Charisma are among other Monaco teams in the battle for the podium.
Victory for the lady
8th Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series
Sunday 17th January 2021. For the first regatta of the year in Monaco waters, the result was indisputable. After three days of competition, Act 1 of the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series was won by Claudia Rossi on Petite Terrible-Adria Ferries, the current J/70 European Champion and her crew outclassing the competition.
Faultless performance
Nothing could cool the ardour of the Italians on Petite Terrible-Adria Ferries in these winter conditions. Led by the excellent Claudia Rossi, the team quite simply dominated the races. It was impossible for their opponents to throw them off course, even when the Italians produced a couple of lack lustre windward legs. They stood on the podium top step having won two of the five races.
A strong start
8th Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series – 15-17 January 2021 : J/70
Friday 15th January 2021. All the conditions sailors dream of were there for a successful start to Act 1 of the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series: a 15-knot westerly and high level fleet!
Efficient and effective
Teams really had something to get their teeth into as the Monaco race area met expectations from start to finish with three races completed in quick succession. From impeccable starts to faultless roundings of the marks the level was impressive in terms of competitors efficiency and effectiveness on the water at this eighth edition.
It was not a case of the 20-odd crews coming here to do extra work. No detail was left out or overlooked. Positioning on the line to get a head start without others stealing your wind were of course fiercely contested, but the level of controls on the upwind and downwind legs were worthy of the finest match race.
Woman at the helm
Aboard Petite Terrible-Adria Ferries, current J/70 European Champion Claudia Rossi is teaching her male counterparts a lesson, with the Italian team clinching a 1-2-1 in the three races. She leads the provisional ranking with a healthy 10-point lead over Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio (G-Spottino) and Loïc Pompée (Sailing racing team) both from the Yacht Club de Monaco.
Rendezvous tomorrow at 11.00am on the water for the first warning signal of the day.
Programme (subject to change)
Saturday 16th January: 11.00am: First warning signal
Sunday 17th January: 11.00am: First warning signal
45 minutes after last boat arrives in the YCM Marina: prize-giving
Start of J/70 season
8th Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series – 15-17 January 2021: J/70
Wednesday 13th January 2021. J/70 teams are all set to gather on Friday 15th January for Act 1 of the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series, a series of monthly regattas instigated by Valentin Zavadnikov. For the start of its eighth season, around 20 boats will be out on the water.
Winter warm-up
Competitors have already had a chance to warm-up under race conditions in December at the Christmas Regatta won by Junda helmed by YCM member Ludovico Fassitelli. It was a meeting the sailor and his crew led from the front and who no doubt has his sights set on claiming another victory in this first act.
Winning at every level
Due to the health situation, the teams present at this first official meeting of the race season mainly comprise teams of locals.
Among the favourites, like Junda and G-Spottino, a peloton of outsiders are sure to upset the established order. The level of competition promises battles round the marks and some tense races. All conditions are being put in place to enable teams to prepare for the 37th Primo Cup – Trophée Credit Suisse organised by the Yacht Club de Monaco, 4-7 March 2021.
Rendezvous Friday 15th January at midday for the warning signal of the first race.
Perseverance and consistency rewarded. Tribute paid to Seaexplorer-Yacht Club de Monaco
Yacht Club de Monaco Winter Cocktail I YCM Awards – Trophée Credit Suisse
The traditional Winter Cocktail, which welcomes new members before the YCM Awards – Trophée Credit Suisse are presented, went ahead this year albeit remotely in compliance with the current health situation. Yacht Club de Monaco President, HSH the Sovereign Prince Albert II, rewarded sailors who proudly fly the Principality’s colours and have made a mark on the world’s race areas.
Christmas Regatta: a warm up for the YCM teams
11-13 December 2020.
Sunday 13th December 2020. Some 30 boats turned out in Monaco’s bay for the Christmas Regatta that replaced the first act of the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series, postponed due to the health situation, but which served as a warm-up for the Monaco teams. Alongside the J/70 and Smeralda 888 classes were Optimists, Lasers and Nacra 15s, all taking full advantage of the course set by the Race Committee.
No surprises in the J/70
He looked like the favourite and lived up to that reputation. Ludovico Fassitelli (Junda) clinched first place in the final ranking, with two race wins and leading pack positions for the five races completed over the three days. Behind the Italian YCM member came young Jérémie Moutout and his team (YCM Lokomotiv) in 2nd followed by Guillaume Charon (Kiss and Fly).
End of qualifiers
E-Sailing Autumn Championship
Sunday 6th December 2020. E-Sailing Autumn Championship contestants are on the home straight. Organised by the Yacht Club de Monaco on Virtual Regatta Inshore, the event has attracted 42 sailors who have been meeting on the digital race area every Sunday for the last three weeks. Start procedures, protests and a set of “Racing Rules of E-sailing” drawn up by World Sailing are just some of the criteria that has turned a game into a proper regatta.
A total of nine races have been completed, with the masterly Tangi Le Goff still topping the provisional ranking with eight race wins. Young Mathis Duplomb from the Sports Centre has climbed to 3rd place.
The grand finale is on Sunday 13th December.
Christmas Regatta: rehearsal for locals
Christmas Regatta from 10-13 December
In the run up to the end of year festivities, Yacht Club de Monaco is organising a Christmas Regatta from 10-13 December.
Due to the health crisis and to ensure a level playing field for the many international teams who descend on the Principality every year for the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series, the organisers have decided to postpone Act 1, initially scheduled for December, and offer a training regatta for local teams. A dress rehearsal, it’s a great opportunity to warm up before the Winter Series starts in earnest next year with the first meeting set for 14-17 January 2021, followed by Act 2 from 4-7 February and culminating in the 37th Primo Cup – Trophée Credit Suisse (4-7 March 2021).
J/70s and Smeralda 888s all set
Two of the most active one design classes will be out on the water for this Christmas Regatta: J/70 and Smeralda 888. Among the dozen J/70s registered, Ludovico Fassitelli (Junda) is the big favourite. This YCM member has not lost his touch as evidenced by his recent victory in the Corinthian (amateur) category of the Italian Championship. In the Smeralda 888 class, Timofey Sukhotin and his crew on Beda, winners of the 2019/2020 season, will undoubtedly be the team to beat in 2021.
For participants it’s a chance to brush up on starts, trimming and tactics under race conditions.
Smeralda 888 gear up for next season
Smeralda 888
The Smeralda 888 crews are already looking ahead to 2021 and have a provisional schedule drawn up. The annual Championship comprises six events, starting with the 37th Primo Cup – Trophée Credit Suisse (4-7 March 2021), a big one design meeting. The fleet will then head to Saint-Tropez, Alassio (Italy), Calvi (Corsica) and Porto Cervo (Sardinia) before the grand finale mid-October in Monaco.